Part of what made Gillian Flynn‘s novel Gone Girl work so well was the promise of a big twist, and it does indeed pull off a surprising manoeuvre around the half-way mark. One of the worst things about a film adaptation will be the trailers that spoil this, almost casually.

Maybe director David Fincher could flex some muscle to keep the secret under wraps. And if Fincher hasn’t personally got enough sway at Warner Bros., I’m pretty sure his leading man will – because, according to The Wrap, Ben Affleck is now in negotiations to take the film’s key male role.

As for the actual lead, there are at least three candidates still in the running: Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt and Charlize Theron. I think Blunt helps sell the twist best of all…

As you can see, I’m trying not to say too much about this film’s story premise. I certainly wouldn’t share the plot blurb from Amazon. Let’s just say it’s a missing person thriller, and there are some cruel, devious people in this story. Sneaky buggers.

If Affleck locks down the deal, Gone Girl will become Fincher’s next film, ahead of the regularly re-stalling 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea.